Events off the field have driven the charitable side of Ohio State defensive back Kurt Coleman.

By David Leon Moore, USA TODAY

LOS ANGELES — Kurt Coleman wraps up his college career in the Rose Bowl on Friday hoping he can wrap up Jeremiah Masoli, LaMichael James and LeGarrette Blount.

The all-Big Ten Ohio State senior strong safety knows the game might hinge on whether he makes one-on-one tackles in open space against Oregon's explosive playmakers.

"It they break a tackle, they can go all the way," Coleman says.

But the Buckeyes know that, on and off the field, Coleman has been one to meet challenges head-on.

A muscular 5-11, 188-pounder and something of a demon in the weight room, the Dayton, Ohio, native was shaken to his core in his first year at OSU during spring practices when his tackle on walk-on wide receiver Tyson Gentry left Gentry paralyzed.

Coleman, just 17 at the time, was devastated and considered quitting football until he visited Gentry in the hospital and was comforted by the player and his family.

"He told me he was going to be all right, and his family hugged me," Coleman recalls. "They said it wasn't my fault."

Coleman has been a friend to Gentry ever since.

"I saw him at Thanksgiving," Coleman says. "He's doing OK. He's starting to get a little movement. But he's got a long way to go."

Again, Coleman, then 18, was shattered. But his father said he was putting his fate in God's hands and told him to do the same.

Three years later, Ron Coleman is cancer-free and working as an assistant principal at a high school in Dayton.

And his son is wearing a "Thank You God, I Am Grateful" bracelet on his right wrist.

That's just one inkling into how Coleman's early trials forged in him a strong religious faith and a dedication to helping others.

Coleman was one of the founders of the Ohio State chapter of Uplifting Athletes, a nonprofit organization that raises money and promotes awareness for rare diseases.

He has been active in events that have raised money for kidney cancer and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neurological disorder that affects an estimated 2.6 million people worldwide — including Craig Pryor, father of Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

"The experiences I had kind of pushed me in the direction to try to help others," Coleman says. "I've been blessed to have the chance to do that."

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel says he, too, has been blessed — by Coleman, a three-year starter who has 64 tackles and five interceptions this season and was named the team's most valuable player.

"Kurt is a highly competitive person who wants to make a difference for his team and wants to make a difference in other peoples' lives," Tressel says. "He understands the podium he has as a college football player and a local hero. … He can make a huge difference.

"He wants to be a teacher, like his dad, when he's done playing. He's a special young man. We'll miss him."

Coleman finds it fitting that his last game presents one of his biggest challenges — stopping Oregon's high-octane, zone-read option offense.

"It's my final test as a Buckeye," he says. "We've been studying hard for this. Hopefully, we can come out with an 'A.' "

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